Wire stretching apparatus



7 Aug. 29, 1967 c. F. DREYSIE 3,337,927

WIRE STRETCHING APPARATUS Original Filed Sept. 15, 1962 I INVENTOR. 7 CHARLES F. DRESIE ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,337,927 WIRE STRETCHING APPARATUS Charles F. Dresie, Jetmore, Kans. 67854 Original application Sept. 13, 1962, Ser. No. 223,409. Divided and this application Apr. 13, 1966, Ser. No. 549,099

3 Claims. (Cl. 24132) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A device for gripping and stretching wire including a manually operated spool having a pawl and ratchet for winding a cable. The cable is connected to a body member having a bit slidable thereon. A wire receiving slot is provided in the bit, and a hook is mounted on the body to maintain the wire in the .slot. In operation the bit functions to deform the portion of the wire held by the bit to prevent movement of the wire through the opening in the bit.

This is a division of patent application Ser. No, 223,409, filed Sept. 13, 1962, entitled Wire Stretching Apparatus, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to wire stretching apparatus. In a more specific aspect the invention relates to wire stretching means which are connectible to a wire or the like to be stretched so that operation of the apparatus causes stretching of the wire or the like. In another specific aspect the invention relates to means to grip a wire or the like which is connectible to wire stretching means. In a still more specific aspect the invention relates to wire stretching means incorporating a ratchet structure wherein the apparatus can be reversed without disengaging the ratchet structure.

Various types of wire stretching means are known to the art. These include wire stretching means having ratchet plates or wheels thereon which are rigidly fixed to a rotatable member and wherein the ratchet mechanism must be disengaged before the apparatus can be reversed to release the wire being stretched. This is often undesirable and makes operation of the apparatus diflicult since it requires considerable skill by the operator to maintain the ratchet apparatus in released position while unwinding the wire receiving portions. Also, the wire stretching apparatus of the prior art does not include simple and satisfactory fastening means which are easily connected to and release from wire to be stretched and wherein the wire is tightly and removably held in the gripping means to prevent inadvertent removal therefrom during stretching operations.

The apparatus of the invention overcomes the many deficiencies of the prior art apparatus. In accordance with the present invention, means are provided to wind or unwind a cable or the like which include spool mounting means which have a spool movably mounted thereon. Handle means are operatively connected to the spool and are operable to move same to wind and unwind a cable or the like thereon. A ratchet plate is positioned between and operatively connected to the spool on the handle means and rotatable with same in winding a cable or the like on the spool. Pawl means are mounted on the spool mountingmeans and have a portion thereof positioned to be engaged by the ratchet plate, the pawl means being positioned so that movement of the ratchet plate with the spool during cable winding operations engages the pawl means to displace same and permit rotation of the plate. The plate and pawl are positioned so that the plate engages the pawl means during movment of the handle means to unwind the cable from the spool so that the plate is held in fixed position. Resilient means are operatively connected to the pawl means to urge same into position to be engaged by the plate.

The wire gripping means of the invention includes a body member having bit means operatively connected thereto with the bit means having an opening therein to receive a wire or the like. The bit means is constructed and positioned when tension is placed on the wire or the like to deform the portion of the wire held by the bit means and prevent movement of the wire through the opening in the bit means.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide new wire stretching means.

Another object of the invention is to provide new wire stretching means having new wire gripping means therewith to receive and hold wire during wire stretching operations.

Another object of the invention is to provide new wire stretching means having ratchet means therewith which do not have to be released during unwinding operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide new wire gripping apparatus having wire gripping means therewith which are constructed to be easily connected to and disconnected from a wire, cable or the like to be stretched;

Another object of the invention is to provide new wire gripping means usable with wire stretching apparatus or the like.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing a preferred specific embodiment of the wire stretching apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse cross section view taken alon g the line 22 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an end portion of the handle means of the wire stretching apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 44 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the bottom of a preferred specific embodiment of the wire gripping means of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the wire gripping means of FIGS. 5 and 6.

The following is a discussion and description of a preferred specific embodiment of the new wire stretching apparatus and wire gripping means of the invention, such being made with reference to the drawings whereon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/ or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, a preferred specific embodiment of the wire stretching apparatus of the invention is shown generally at 10 and includes a frame shown generally at 12 which preferably includes two elongated and flat side members 14 and 16 which are of like construction and are positioned in mirror image relation with the end portions thereof in closely spaced relation. An annular washer 18 is preferably provided and positioned between and rigidly secured in an edge portion thereof to the side members 14 and 16 at one end portion thereof as illustrated in FIG. 1 with at least a portion of the hole or aperture 20 in the washer 18 positioned beyond the end portions of the side members to define mounting means. Two spacer members 22 and 24 are positioned between and rigidly secured by welding or other suitable means to the outermost edge portions of the other end portions of the side members 14 and 16. The spacer members 22 and 24 are desirably positioned at the upper and lower edge s portions of the frame 12 as best illustrated in FIG, 2 and define therebetween an opening 26.

The side members 14 and 16 desirably have center portions 30 and 32, respectively, which are preferably relaportions 30 and 32 of the side members 14 and 16 and desirably has an elongated cylindrical center portion 40 and integrally formed radially extending circular flange portions 42 and 44 which are positioned adjacent the end portions of the spool 38 and preferably in spaced relation thereto. The flange portions 42 and 44 are preferably located in generally parallel planes and define the ends of a cable receiving portion of the spool 38. Bosses are provided on the outermost end portions of the spool 38 which are rotatably mounted in the holes or openings 34 and 36 of the center portions 30 and 32 of the side members 14 and 16.

The spool 38 is provided with threaded holes or openings 46 and 48 which extend axially inwardly toward the center of the spool from the ends thereof and terminate in spaced relation. A lock washer 50 is provided and positioned in abutting relation with one end portion of the spool 38 and is located substantially coaxial with the hole or opening 46 and receives the shank portion of a mounting bolt 52 which is threadedly mounted in the hole or opening 46. A radially extending hole or opening 54 passes through the spool 38 in one end portion thereof and intersects the hole 46. An end of a piece of flexible cable, wire or the like 56 passes through the hole or opening 54 into the hole or opening 46 and is engaged by the shank portion of the mountin bolt 52 to thereby removably connect the end portion of the cable to the spool 38. The cable, wire or the like 56 is windable around the portion of the spool 38 between the flanges 42 and 44 and the cable is desirably threaded through the opening 26 between the spacer members 22 and 24 at the end portion of the side members 14 and 16 and extends therefrom to be operatively connected to a wire or the like to be stretched.

An elongated crank or handle 60 is provided and preferablyhas a flat center arm portion and desirably has two generally cylindrical knobs 62 and '64 rotatably mounted on the end portions of the center portion by mounting bolts or rivets 66 and 68, respectively, which pass axially through the knobs 62 and 64 as best illustrated in FIG. 3. Means are provided to connect the handle 60 to the spool 38 for rotation together. For this purpose, mounting means, such as a stud or mounting bolt 70 is desirably provided and has the head end portion thereof connected to the flat center portion of handle 60 in any suitable manner, such as by welding the head thereto. The shank portion of the bolt 70 projects outwardly at substantially a right angle to the fiat portion of handle 60 and is threadedly mounted in the hole 48 of the spool 38 so that rotation or movement of the handle 60 causes rotation of the spool 38. A flat radially extending abutment portion provided on bolt 70 adjacent the handle 60.

Means are provided to prevent inadvertent movement of the handle 60 to unwind the cable 56 from the spool 38. For this purpose, a ratchet plate 72 is provided which is preferably generally square in shape and has a centrally located opening or aperture 74 therein and the plate 72 is positioned between the head end portion of the mounting bolt 70 and the adjacent end portion of the spool 38 with the shank portion of the mounting bolt 70 being received by the opening 74 in the ratchet plate 72 so that the bolt 70 is rotatable within the plate 7L When handle 60 is ro- 4 tated to turn spool 38 to wind wire or cable 56 thereon the plate 72 is in tight frictional engagement with the end of the spool 38 and the handle 60 and is rotated therewith.

A pawl is pivotally mounted in one end portion by a pivot 82 on the side member 16 and positioned adjacent the ratchet plate 72 so that the end portion of the pawl 80 opposite from pivot 82 is engageable by the ratchet plate 72 during movement thereof. A stud 84 or other suitable stop means is connected to the side member 16 and positioned beneath the lower edge of the end portion of the pawl 80 opposite from pivot 82 to be engaged by the pawl to limit downward movement thereof. If desired, an edge portion of the pawl 80 can be beveled as shown at 86 and the beveled portion is engageable by the edges of the ratchet plate 72 during rotation of the plate with the spool 38 to move the pawl upwardly away from stud S4.

Resilient means are desirably provided to urge the pawl 80 downwardly into a position to be engaged by the plate 72. Preferably an elongated wire spring member 90 is provided and has an intermediate portion thereof passing through a hole or aperture 92 in the side member 16 and the spring member 90 is bent or shaped to have one end portion extending over the upper edge of the member 16 and positioned to be engaged by the pawl 80 when moved upwardly by plate 72 so that the spring urges the pawl downwardly and into engagement with the stud 84 and in position to be engaged by the plate 72. The other end portion of the spring 90 is fastened or held in any suitable manner, such as by having the other end portion thereof bent or shaped to be positioned along the upper edge of the side member 16 adjacent to the washer 18. The spring 90 is thus removably fastened to the side member 16 and positioned to urge the pawl 80 downwardly into the desired position.

Means are desirably provided with the cable 56 to removably connect same to a wire or the like to be stretched. Preferably the wire gripping member shown generally at in FIGS. 1 and 5-7 is used. The wire gripping member 100 preferably includes an elongated body 102 which as spaced and substantially parallel side portions 104 and 106 and a closed end portion 108 which is preferably integrally formed with the side portions 104 and 106. The side portions 104 and 106 of the body 102 are desirably rigidly secured together such as by welding at 110 at the end portion opposite from end portion 108 and are preferably shaped to form a hook end portion 112. The body 102 can be made of a single length of wire, rod or the like.

A generally rectangular bit member 114 is preferably provided and has two spaced oblong openings 116 and 118 therethrough and such are desirably positioned in one end portion of the bit member and the openings 116 and 118 slidably receive the side portions 104 and 106 I of the body 102. The bit member 114 is movable longitudinally along a body of the Wire gripping member 100 and, since the openings 116 and 118 are oblong, the bit member is also movable arcuately relative to the side portFions of the body 102 as indicated in the dashed lines in The bit member 114 is provided with a transversely extending elongated opening or slot 120 and such is desirably positioned in the other end portion of the bit member 114 and opens to one side thereof. The slot 120 is desirably of size to receive a wire or the like 122 to be stretched as shown in FIG, 1.

A bit stop 124 is preferably provided and is rigidly se' cured to the side portions 104 and 106 of the body 102 and extends therebetween and is desirably located between the bit 114 and the hook end portion 112 of the body 102. The bit stop 104 can be securedin position in any suitable manner, such as by welding, and the stop 124 functions to limit movement of the bit 114 along the body 102.

104 and 106 of the body 102 in any suitable manner, such as by welding. The hook member 126 is desirably positioned adjacent and in spaced relation to the closed end 108 of body 102 and is also preferably positioned on the opposite side of the bit 114 from the bit stop 124 and also functions to limit movement of bit 114. The hook member 126 desirably has a generally U-shaped end portion 128 which projects from the body 102 approximately the same distance as the slot 120 in the bit 114 as best illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. Also, the open side or edge portion of the hook member 126 is desirably at the side of the wire gripping member 100 opposite from the opening of the slot 120, such also being best illustrated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. In use, the wire 122 to be stretched passes through the slot 120 in bit member 114, and is received in the U-shaped portion 128 of the hook member 126 with the member 126 and the closed end of the slot 120 cooperating to limit movement of the wire 122 and thereby prevent inadvertent removal of the wire from the gripping member.

The wire gripping member 100 is connected to the cable 56 in any suitable manner, and preferably this connection is obtained by passing the cable through a collar 130 and looping the outermost end of the wire 56 through the closed end 108 of member 100 and again passing the cable through the collar 130. The end of cable 56 can be secured in place in the collar 130 by tightening the set screw 132. The wire gripping member 100 is thus removably connected to the cable 56 so that when the cable is wound onto the spool 38 and unwound therefrom the member 100 and the wire 122 held thereby will be moved with the cable 56.

The bit member 114 is longitudinally and arcuately mov able relative to the body 102 of the wire gripping member 100 so that when wire 122 is inserted into the slot 120 of the bit 114 and through the hook 126 and tension is placed on wire 122 by turning handle 60, the bit 114 will pivot or move from a generally perpendicular position relative to the body 102 to a position at an angle thereto as best illustrated in the dashed lines in FIG. 7 of the drawings. This causes a slight deformation or bending of the wire 122 in the bit 114 and prevents slippage of the wire relative to the bit as long as the tension is maintained thereon. The hook 126 prevents movement of the wire 122 downwardly away from the body 102 as shown in FIG. 7 and such aids the gripping action of bit 114.

Another of the wire gripping members 100 is desirably operatively connected to the washer 18 and to fixed means. The member 100 can have a link of chain 134 connected thereto at the closed end 108 thereof and the other end portion of the chain can have one link thereof passing through the hole or opening 20 in the washer 18 to thereby operatively connect member 100 to the wire stretching apparatus. The other end portion of the wire gripping member 100 is desirably connected to any suitable fixed means, such as a fence post or the like by the use of a cable, wire or the like 136 which has a loop end portion received by the hook end portion 112 of the wire stretching member and the other end portion (not shown) is connected to the fence post or the like. Of course, the wire stretching member 100 as shown on the left side of FIG. 1 can also be connected in the manner previously described to a wire or the like similar to that shown at 122.

To stretch a wire or the like the member 100 shown at the right in FIG. 1 is preferably extended and connected as described hereinbefore to a wire or the like 122 to be stretched and the other wire gripping member 100 on the other end of the apparatus is connected by a wire, cable or the like 136 to fixed means and the handle 60 is then rotated by gripping the hand gripping knobs 62 and/ or 64 and moving same to thereby rotate the spool 38 and wind cable 56 thereon. Movement of cable 56 moves the wire stretching member 100 connected thereto toward the apparatus and thus stretches the wire 122 held in the recess or slot 120 in the bit 114. When the Wire 122 has been stretched to the desired extent, the wire gripping member 100 can be released by backing off or reversing movement of handle 60 to unwind the cable or the like 56 from the spool 38 until the bit 114 relaxes at which time the wire 122 can be moved through the open end of the slot 120 and removed from the hook end portion of U-shaped portion 128 of the hook member 126.

When handle 60 is moved in a direction to Wind cable 56 on the spool 38 the ratchet plate 72 engages the beveled surface 86 of the pawl to move the pawl upwardly against spring and permit rotation of the plate 72. When the handle 60 is reversed or moved to unwind cable 56 from spool 38, the ratchet plate 72 engages the end portion of pawl 80 opposite from the pivot 82 and urges the pawl 80 downwardly into engagement with the stop 84 and thus plate 72 is prevented from moving. This does not prevent unwinding of the cable 56 from the spool 38 by forcibly moving handle 60 since the ratchet plate 72 0f the apparatus of the invention is not rigidly connected to the spool 38 or the handle 60 but is in frictional contact therewith and thus does not interfere with intentional movement of the spool. When the wire 122 is stretched or under tension the handle 60 can be released by the user and cable 56 will not be unwound from spool 38 since the plate 72 is held against movement by the pawl 80 and the frictional forces between the handle 60, the spool 38 and the plate 72 opposing movement of the spool is greater than the torque applied to the spool by the cable 56.

The apparatus can also be used for operations other than wire stretching. For example, one of the wire gripping members, such as the one at the left in FIG. 1, can be connected to a beam or the like in a shop and the wire gripping member connected to the wire or cable 56 can be. connected to motors or other articles to be lifted, and the apparatus thus used as a hoist or lift. When used as a hoist or lift the cable 56 can be looped around the article to be lifted and the wire gripping member on the cable attached to an intermediate portion of the cable to there-by removably connect the cable to the article to be lifted.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

I claim:

1. Wire gripping means comprising, in combination:

(a) a body member having sides and an end portion, said side portions being joined together at the other end of said body member,

(b) bit means operatively connected to said body member, said bit means having spaced openings therein in one end portion thereof slidably receiving said sides of said body member, a slot in said bit member spaced from said spaced openings to receive a portion of a wire or the like to be stretched, and

(c) a hook member secured to said body member, said hook member having an end portion thereof projecting from said body member approximately the same distance as said slot in said bit member with said hook member receiving and limiting lateral movement of a wire or the like to be stretched when positioned in said slot of said bit member to prevent inadvertent removal of said wire from said bit member,

said bit means being constructed and positioned when tension is placed on said wire or the like to deform said portion of said wire held by said bit means to thereby prevent movement of said wire through said opening in said bit means.

2. The wire gripping means of claim 1 wherein said body is elongated, said sides are spaced side portions, and

said first-named end portion is closed, and wherein said bit means is a generally rectangular member, said openings therein are oblong, said slot opens to a side thereof, and

I wherein said hook is rigidly secured to said body member. 3. The wire gripping means of claim 1 wherein said body member is elongated and has spaced and substantially parallel side portions with one end portion of said body member being integrally formed With said side portions and U-shaped to form a closed end, said side p0r-' tions of said body member being secured together at the other end of said body member and shaped to form a hook portiom'wherein said bit means is a generally rectangular bit member having two spaced oblong openings therein in one end portion thereof slidably receiving said side portions of said body member and movable longitudinally therealong and arcuately relative thereto, a transversely extending slot in the other end portion of said bit member open to one side thereof and of size to receive a wire or the like to be stretched, a bit stop rigidly secured to each of said side portions of said body member and extending therebetween and located between said bit member and said hook portion of said body member and located between said hook portion to limit longitudinal movement of said bit member, and wherein there is a hook member rigidly secured to said side portions of said body member and positioned thereon adjacent the closed end thereof and located on the opposite side of said bodymember from said bit stop and operable to limit longitudinal movement of said bit member in the other direction, said hook member having a U-shaped end portion projecting from said body member approximately the same distance as said slot in said bit member with said hook member receiving and limiting lateral movement of a Wire to be stretched when positioned in said slot of said bit membar to prevent inadvertent removal of said wire from said' bit member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS BERNARD A. GELAK, Primary Examiner. 

1. WIRE GRIPPING MEANS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) A BODY MEMBER HAVING SIDES AND AN END PORTION, SAID SIDE PORTIONS BEING JOINED TOGETHER AT THE OTHER END OF SAID BODY MEMBER, (B) BIT MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID BODY MEMBER, SAID BIT MEANS HAVING SPACED OPENINGS THEREIN IN OND END PORTION THEREOF SLIDABLY RECEIVING SAID SIDES OF SAID BODY MEMBER, A SLOT IN SAID BIT MEMBER SPACED FROM SAID SPACED OPENINGS TO RECEIVE A PORTION OF A WIRE OR THE LIKE TO BE STRETCHED, AND (C) A HOOK MEMBER SECURED TO SAID BODY MEMBER, SAID HOOK MEMBER HAVING AN END PORTION THEREOF PROJECTING FROM SAID BODY MEMBER APPROXIMATELY THE SAME 